Page 16 of The King has Fallen

I also didn’t doubt him.

When there was nothing left for him to consume, he poured himself a large mug of water and downed it, then placed the plate and cup outside of the tent flap before gathering a quill, ink, and parchment from one of the trunks at the side of the tent, and returning to the table.

When he’d settled himself and organized his things on the table, he licked the end of the quill, dipped it carefully in the ink, then finally looked at me again.

“Now,” he said. “Unlike my King I will not grow bored. Start with the Aethereans and their motives for joining the others when it is not even their land, and we’ll move on from there…”

An hour later, still strapped to that chair, I was sweating.

He was right. He was not like his King at all.

Not dull.

Not easily drawn.

Very sharp. Very insightful.

He saw through any of my carefully chosen words and would pursue the question, digging into the details until I was forced to give up every nuance—or admit when I did not know.

For the first time, I questioned the path I’d taken. This man would not be easily manipulated. But as the day wore into night, and night into the early hours of morning, I didn’t flinch. I was committed now. There was little choice but to continue… and possibly fail.

God forgive me.

“Sleeping, Melek?Really?”

The voice was booming and warm with laughter.

I jolted awake, wincing against the crick in my neck and the ache in my tailbone because I was still strapped to that hard chair.

There was a low, rumbling growl, then a graveled,“About fucking time.”

Melek, who’d been asleep in the bed, shoved out of the furs and stalked across the tent to meet the new Nephilim, who was strapped and armored, with temples damp and hair ringed with sweat as if he’d just taken off a helmet. The two clasped arms, clapping each other’s shoulders with the kind of resonant slap that was the only type of affection strong men would allow themselves. Or so I thought.

The new male, sunny and good-humored in his countenance, a bright contrast to Melek’s dark brooding, yanked Melek closer and thumped his back so hard it sounded like drums calling soldiers to war.

But I had a brief glimpse of an unguarded smile from Melek over the man’s shoulder before they parted, and then both turned to look at me.

I tried to straighten. I’d slumped against the bonds in my sleep and now both my hands were numb. But I couldn’t move enough to relieve any of the pain, so I just raised my chin and stared the new man down.

And then I smiled, because the man was smiling at me. And he was quite possibly the most handsome man I’d ever seen.

The light was too dim to be sure of his hair color, but it was clear he was lighter in both hair and complexion than Melek. As he took in the way I’d been bound, he raised one brow and tipped his head.

“I do love a woman who looks good in leather,” he said.

The comment from any of the earlier soldiers would have sickened me with their lusty leering. But this man was different. He was warm and playful in his tone. Not threatening.

“That’s good,” I croaked. “Because I’ve always appreciated a man who was good at knots.”

He affirmed my instinct on his nature by throwing back his head and laughing, then winking at me when I smiled. I was pleased by his easy humor.

“Don’t let her fool you,” Melek growled from behind him. “She has teeth—and she’s been very clear that she isn’t afraid to use them.”

The sunny man glanced at him, then turned his regard back to me, thoughtful. “I wouldn’t let that discourage youcompletely,Mel,” he said thoughtfully. “I once took a horse that was a feral beast because it was cheap. Everyone before me said it couldn’t be tamed. And it’s true, it took a great deal of time, but once I did…” He locked eyes with me. “That animal was the best ride I’ve ever had.”

I snorted, struggling to contain a delighted laugh as he raised his brows in a suggestive waggle.

Melek shook his head and didn’t even grin. “Best of luck, Jann. Do let me know how you’d like me to honor you in memorial when she’s sliced you open like a piece of fruit. She already hamstrung one of the youngsters. But by all means, give it a shot. Maybe you can domesticate her.”

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